Sarnia is the centre of the petrochemical industry in Canada. It also has the highest rates of mesothelioma in Ontario. Starting in 1993 the Windsor Occupational Health Clinic for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) organized a satellite clinic to assist the Sarnia labour movement with health and safety problems. By 1995 the clinic began to see clusters of cancer cases among former fibreglass workers. Soon after this, the clinic staff encountered workers from a former foundry-insulation plant. Over fifty of these foundry workers had already established compensation claims for asbestos and silica related diseases. Since June 1998 the unions in Sarnia have sponsored three compensation clinics involving fibreglass, foundry and building trades members to determine the extent of occupational disease. Over 1200 people are currently registered with the clinic. Due to the much-publicized health and safety activity of the trade unions, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has temporarily funded an full OHCOW Clinic in Sarnia. This story and the lessons from this struggle will be the focus of the presentation.
Learning Objectives: 1)Participants will understand the role of community organizing in establishing an occupational health center. 2) Participants will gain an understanding of the industrial and hazard context in the community the clinic was established in
Keywords: Occupational Health Programs, Access to Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.